Burkina Faso experienced a coup d’etat on January 24, 2022, as the military seized power in this West African country where there has been insecurity and increased jihadist violence since 2018. Currently, there are nearly two million Internally Displaced People (IDP) who have had to flee their homes due to terrorist attacks. Food and water are scarce, and children are at risk for malnutrition. The camps for IDPs are not suited for the rainy season and sanitation is poor leading to increased illness due to malaria, diarrhea, and cholera. 

As a rural community, the Burkinabé are dependent on planting and harvesting crops and on herding livestock. When they are forced to flee their homes, they grab their children and leave with only what they are wearing. Their homes and villages are being destroyed and they lose everything including their livelihood that provides food for their families.

The psychological impact of the trauma and the physical needs in Burkina are adding to the crisis. Recently 50 Alliance pastors had to flee with their families. The relief and development branch of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Burkina provided for their practical needs along with training for trauma healing. Since it is dangerous and often impossible to travel to a hospital the physical needs of the IDP’s are not being met. Insecurity in the country is also preventing humanitarian and health workers from reaching the communities in need. 

How has this affected the pastors and members of our sister church, Central Alliance Church in Burkina? They are fasting and praying for God to find the solution to the insecurity in their country. Every Sunday evening, they lay on the ground to implore the grace of the Lord and His forgiveness of their country. They have faith that God hears their prayers. Pastor Lazare stated, “We don't know what will happen, but one thing is certain, our God is faithful. We are reassured every day by His presence by our side.

Despite the crisis, life in Burkina Faso does go on. The Burkina Alliance recently held its annual district conference in Ouagadougou. The topics taught included Family Life in an Ever-changing World and The Challenge of Mission and Evangelization in Burkina Faso. Pastor Lazare reported that the conference was a great success.  “We have received a lot of teaching and our spiritual reservoirs are full. Thank you for your prayers. We need it because the work of evangelization must continue despite all the health and safety difficulties that we face.” 

Let’s join our brothers and sisters in Burkina Faso by asking God for:

• A solution to their national insecurity
• Provision of food and clean water
• For the continued work of evangelization